This report from the Kaiser Family Foundation explores the potential affects that the Affordable Care Act will have on women, focusing on the number of women that will be affected and the types of services that are likely to be covered.

From the report:

The new health reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed by President Obama on March 23rd, 2010. This new law holds the potential to expand women’s access to health insurance coverage and make other reforms that may strengthen the existing health care system’s ability to serve millions of women. Health care has long been a fundamental policy priority for women, reflecting their experiences with the health care system as patients, mothers, and caregivers for frail and disabled family members. This brief discusses the impact of the new reform law for women on their access to coverage, health care affordability, scope of benefits, reproductive health, and long-term care— all priority issues for women. Many of the important details that will shape how well the law improves coverage rates for women and ultimately, access to care, will depend on the regulations that will be promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services, the choices that state policy makers will make regarding their Medicaid programs and new insurance exchanges, and in the end, the types of plans that are selected by women and their families.

Full Report: Impact of Health Reform on Women’s Access to Coverage and Care (PDF | 618 KB)

Kaiser Family Foundation. (2010). Impact of health reform on women's access to coverage and care.